ladder.rb

def ladder_length(start_word, end_word, dictionary)
  current_word = start_word
  counter = 1
  while !matching_letters(current_word, end_word, end_word.length - 1)
    dictionary.each do |word|
      if matching_letters(current_word, word, word.length - 1)
        current_word = word
        dictionary.delete(word)
        counter += 1
      end
    end
  end
  counter += 1
end

def matching_letters(word1, word2, matching)
  matching_letters = 0
  word1.split('').each_with_index do |char, position|
    if char == word2[position]
      matching_letters += 1
    end
  end
  matching_letters == matching
end